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A Guide to US Work Visas

StrategyDriven Practices for Professionals Article | A Guide to US Work Visas

Companies hire non-citizen workers for every imaginable position across every industry that supports the United States and its economy. To live in the country while employed by a company, a foreign worker needs an approved document that validates their right to live and work on U.S. soil.

This guide covers the most important basic facts about U.S. work visas. Read on to learn more…

U.S. Work Visas

A visa is essentially a permit that shows that a person who isn’t a born or naturalized citizen has permission to be in the U.S. for work purposes. A worker in this scenario has a country of origin (i.e., their home country where they have citizenship) and a country of work (i.e., the country where they currently live or visit and work). Many workers plan to return to their country of origin at the end of a specific period. Some workers hope to become permanent residents and citizens.

Types of Visas

Many different types of visas exist. The two main categories of these permits are Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers and Permanent (Immigrant) Workers.

The Temporary category, for example, has many types of visas (i.e., H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L, O, P-1, P-2, P-3 and Q-1). These permits reflect different subcategories of work. Both main categories include workers in agricultural and non-agricultural roles, specialty occupations, professionals part of a free trade agreement, participating as trainees or in special education programs, intracompany transferees, individuals with extraordinary abilities and achievements, athletes and sports entertainers, reciprocal artists and entertainers, specialty and unique artists and entertainers, traders and investors, and cultural exchange workers.

Many unique temporary visas exist as well. Certain types of exchange participants, such as teachers, professors, and summer work travel workers, need a J visa. Foreign media and press workers need an I visa. Workers merely visiting the country to complete a short, business-related task, such as estate planning or settling of affairs, contract negotiation, convention or conference attendance, or transiting through the country, need a B-1 visa.

The Process of Obtaining a Visa

If the U.S. requires a visa for the worker to enter the country, they must apply to the U.S. Department of State. Waivers also exist under special circumstances. Citizens of certain countries, like Canada and Mexico, may enter the country without a visa, as long as they meet specific legal requirements.

The process depends entirely on the intent or reason for entering the country to work (i.e., the main visa category) and the worker’s profession. Before submitting an application to the DOS, many workers must submit a petition to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services from their employer or potential employer. They must also receive permission to enter by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is also involved in the process. A worker might need to file, for example, Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and an Employment Authorization Document, especially if the employment involves an attempt to receive a green card to become a permanent resident. The immigration process can be lengthy depending on which type of visa you are applying for. For example, the estimated time to process an EB2 visa is currently a minimum of 6 months.

Final Considerations

The process for a foreign national to become a temporary or permanent worker in the United States is complex. A worker has the best chance of receiving approval with assistance and guidance from their current or prospective employer and the U.S. Department of State. Foreign workers can find extensive details about this topic on the U.S. Visas page of the Travel.State.Gov website. Workers can also use the State Department’s Visa Wizard to help guide them to the type of visa they need and the steps to complete the process. 

Singapore’s Employment Pass – How Difficult It Is to Get One

StrategyDriven Tactical Execution Article |Work Visa|Singapore's Employment Pass - How Difficult It Is to Get OneAre you planning to work in Singapore? If so, you will need an employment pass that corresponds to your skills and qualifications or the job you are interested in. Although Singapore has tried to make it a straightforward process, some people still find it a hassle. So, it is good to know how difficult it is to get an employment pass.

The truth is that the Ministry of Manpower in Singapore does not approve all of the applications. So, it is up to you and your agent to make a compelling application. Usually, the credibility of the hiring company and the individual will play a significant role.

Important Things During the Application

The MOM will factor many things before they approve your application. They may look simple, but they have a considerable amount of weight in making your endeavors a success.
They primarily look at the following:

  • Work skills and experience.
  • Personal details: citizenship, age, education, and current salary.
  • Whether or not it is possible to get local manpower under the same category.
  • The reputation of the company that is willing to hire you.
  • Your criminal records.

There are many other details that must be filled out in the application form. A reputable migration agent like Visa Express Singapore should help you fill out the application form honestly. What they should do is ensure that you qualify to avoid disappointments when feedback is given. If all is well, there is no need to get worried as the MOM will make a fair consideration.

Things That Will Make Your Application Get Rejected

There are many things that can make the application get rejected. Some may not be within your control. If the MOM has already processed enough EP passes, they might reject any other applications that are put on their table. This is a regulation that allows the locals to get a fair share of the jobs in Singapore. However, opening for foreigners are almost always there since more businesses and companies keep on opening. Also, there is a need for more labor that must be sourced from abroad.

Making an application without the right qualifications may lead to the rejection of the application. If the agent is proactive, they should help you to downgrade to the S pass if that is what you are eligible for. The good news is that you can grow your career by going back to school in Singapore and later upgrading to the EP.

How Agents Help in the Success of EP

From the beginning, it is highly recommended to use agents with enough experience in dealing with work visas in Singapore. You can easily find one online if you check well. Their job is to assess the possibility of succeeding in this application. It is crucial that they go through the form before they submit it on your behalf. They also check whether or not all of the supportive documents are attached before sending it.

If there is a rejection, they will go through it to ascertain what the problem was. In some cases, they can lodge a complaint with the MOM, especially if they feel that you should have qualified.